Our History

Who We Are

Over the past 30 years Special Olympics Calgary has provided positive engaging sport opportunities to hundreds of athletes with an intellectual disability. We are a non-profit organization founded in 1981 as an affiliate of Special Olympics Alberta.

We are part of an international movement, with links around the world and throughout Canada. Calgary is the largest affiliate in Alberta! We provide 33 different programs and 21 sports year round to over 1600 participants with an intellectual disability ages 2 and up. Our high quality programs foster many skills and qualities that enrich athletes’ daily lives. Our athletes foster self-esteem, establish new friendships, and realize their full athletic potential in a safe and supported environment. For many Calgarians with intellectual disabilities we are the main source of sport activity and social involvement. Knowing this we strive to ensure each participant receives maximum benefits from our programs year round.

A unique feature is we focus on the athlete’s ability, not their disability. We are about giving each child, youth, and adult the same opportunity as their peers in other sporting and community events. Our athletes practice with individuals’ of their own level of ability. In addition we keep the cost of participating affordable, and no individual is turned away due to financial difficulty.

As a volunteer-driven registered charity Special Olympics relies on the constant support of the community to allow our athletes to have the opportunity to participate in different sport programs, tournaments and special events.